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Before us we have another compilation of letters between two explorers of life and its ambiguities. In these letters, some topics that were touched on in the first group of letters are dealt with in a greater depth. Thus, some aspects of modern science and some aspects of spirituality are looked at in a more rigorous manner compared to that in the last collection of letters. The reason for this is that, as with all things, we are called on to grow and to expand our horizons. There is a point that I want to make very clear because misconceptions may arise. Some of the letters are fairly critical of the sciences but I don't want this to be misconstrued as an anti-science position. Science is indeed one of the glorious achievements of man and has contributed much to enhancing our understanding of the universe and of our selves. What I am arguing against would be better called scienticism rather than science but, since the word science has become such an integral part of our everyday languaage I have retained the term, science. The point that I am trying to make was made by Chesterton with the words to the effect that a mad man is insane not because he does not use logic but because he only uses logic. Science is good and a worthwhile pursuit. Problems arise when certain persons use science in areas such as meaning and ethics where science really has nothing to say. The recent spate of sociobiology articles and books illustrates much of what gives science a bad name. At the same time, I want to caution those who take an extreme position with respect to the created world denying it any importance or denying that anything that is eternal can be expressed in the passing time of our world. This is wrong and has dangerous repercussions. When the supernatural is separated from the natural we end up with the unnatural. |
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